Board hears concerns about staff-survey language and urges unity amid reconfiguration debate
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Summary
Trustees raised alarms about what they described as demeaning or hateful language in teacher and community survey responses. Several board members called for training, stronger community outreach and steps to heal divides while preserving students’ needs as the priority.
During the Jan. 20 work session, multiple trustees flagged language in staff and community survey responses they described as unacceptable and hurtful toward students and staff at the other elementary school. A trustee said comments from some Hillcrest teacher survey entries were “sick” and urged the district to address the tone of internal communications as part of any reconfiguration process.
Board discussion ranged from strong condemnation of unkind survey language to calls for empathy with families facing schedule changes. Several trustees said the district should use the planning and communication process to bring communities together and provide staff training where needed. One trustee urged that district leaders invite families to visit both campuses and to emphasize that the decision must center on what best serves students in the long run.
District staff acknowledged the issue, said the survey responses were included in a categorized summary and reiterated that they would provide transparent communications, visit opportunities and supports during any transition. Staff did not announce a formal disciplinary action or investigation at the session; board members asked staff to return with clarifying materials and to consider steps to address tone and community cohesion before a final decision is made.